It was still chilly on April 6 and everyone seated around the plastic drop cloth on the Nancy Redington’s basement floor was looking down. Spread out were a variety of tools used in caring for roses. Redington, Master Gardener and rose expert, talked about hand saws, gloves, weeders, and the all-important bypass pruners as part of the Master Gardeners of Penn State Extension, Franklin County Roses 101 workshop.??

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Wielding those all-important pruners

President Ronald Reagan signed a resolution into law on October 7, 1986 naming the rose as the “national floral emblem” of the United States. Redington said one of her dream goals is to “plant a rose bush next to the American flag at libraries” and other public buildings in our area.

Red rose in full bloom Photo by Peggy Greb, courtesy

USDA Agricultural Research Service Image Gallery

According to Eric Cech in an Ezine Article, it's estimated that 150 million plants are purchased annually by gardeners worldwide every year and roses dominate the world's cut flower market.

“The first thing I planted …was a rose,” said Rebecca Keller, Chambersburg, who moved to the area recently.<>>

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<>Sylvia Kremp, Chambersburg, asked “What is the difference between the varieties of roses?” Reddington and son Jim talked about the types such as old garden, English roses, miniature, hybrid teas, mini-flora, shrub, and grandiflora roses.

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Jim Redington shows the size of a mini-floral rose

<>>Once selected and purchased, however, gardeners need to know how to plant and care for their roses. Good pruning practices are an important part of rose maintenance.

“I have a Joseph’s Coat rose,” said Judy Scriptunas, Chambersburg, noting that she is interested in knowing more about how to care for it.????????

Everyone bundled up, grabbed pruners and gloves and headed out into Redington’s yard. She demonstrated how to prune a tree rose, calling out why she chose each cut – “dead,” “dinky,” “dead,” “dying.” ??????

Nancy and Starbuck prune a miniature rose

She moved out into the yard and severely pruned a miniature rose bush. Most of those crowded around were amazed at how much she pruned out. “Come back in June and you’ll see plenty of roses," she said. "Trust me.” ??

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Dawn Stinson and LuAnn Munson prune a hybrid tea rose

As the hands-on workshop neared the end, participants were invited to choose a rose bush in her yard and begin practicing with those all-important pruners.